San Diego County Sheriff's Department: UPDATE: Homicide Investigation - San Diego Central Jail

Press release from San Diego County Sheriff's Department:

08/26/2021 4:22 PM

LOCATION:       1173 Front Street, San Diego

DECEASED:        Richard Lee Salyers, 46-years-old

SUSPECT:           Steven Young, 32-years-old

The Homicide Unit is identifying the male who was found deceased at the San Diego Central Jail on August 22, 2021, as forty-six-year-old Richard Lee Salyers. Salyers is a resident of the city of San Diego. His next of kin was located today and notified of his death. 

Salyers was booked into custody by the San Diego Police Department on August 18, 2021, for the charge of:

1209 CP – Contempt of Court

Further inquires about the case should be directed to the San Diego District Attorney's Office.

Information from second release:

The Medical Examiner's Office conducted the autopsy today on the male who was found deceased at the San Diego Central Jail on August 22, 2021. The preliminary cause of death was strangulation and the manner of death is homicide.

The Medical Examiner's Office and Homicide detectives are attempting to locate the male's next of kin. His name is withheld pending next of kin notification.

Information from first release:

On August 22, 2021, at about 7:10 p.m., deputies at the San Diego Central Jail found a male inmate unresponsive in his cell suffering from traumatic injuries. Deputies and medical staff immediately performed lifesaving measures until relieved by fire department personnel. Unfortunately, the male was pronounced deceased at the facility. 

The Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation. The deceased male was housed in the cell with another inmate, thirty-two-year-old Steven Young. Detectives identified Young as the suspect in the murder of the male. Young was arrested and re-booked into San Diego Central Jail for one count of 187(a) PC – Murder.

The Medical Examiner's Office has scheduled the autopsy of the male on August 24, 2021. The identity of the male is known to investigators; however, his name is being withheld pending family notification.

Prepared by:  Thomas Seiver, Lieutenant

Sheriff's Homicide Unit   (858) 285- 6330

This press release was produced by San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.